Input device

ABSTRACT

An input device of an electronic apparatus including an input detection unit which is provided on the electronic apparatus at a position that is difficult to be seen by a user who uses the input device, and which detects an input operation of the user; a movement distance detection unit that detects a movement distance of an input position over the input detection unit; and an action control unit that controls a predetermined action of the electronic apparatus based on the movement distance detected by the movement distance detection unit.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/239,849, entitled “INPUT DEVICE,” filed on Sep. 22, 2011, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application JP2010-223502, filed on Oct. 1, 2010. Each of the foregoing documents isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an input device, and in detail, thedisclosure relates to an input device in which a user is able to easilyperform input without having to look.

In recent years, with electronic apparatuses such as mobile phones, gameconsoles, and music players, devices referred to as touchpads and touchsensors have been widely adopted as input devices to receive inputoperations by users. With such touchpads and the like, since a userperforms input by directly contacting an input surface with their ownfingers or a pen for inputting that is generally referred to as astylus, a more intuitive input is possible as compared to an inputoperation by so-called physical buttons.

A mobile information apparatus including such a touchpad has beenproposed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2008-252496). With the mobile information apparatus described inJapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-252496, thetouchpad is configured to include a plurality of soft keys, and variousinput operations are able to be performed on the mobile informationapparatus by contacting the positions of the soft keys with a finger orthe like.

SUMMARY

Since soft keys are not formed in a protruding form unlike physicalkeys, it is not possible to determine the positions of soft keys byfeeling with a finger when inputting. Further, since soft keys do notdepress when inputting as physical buttons do, a user is not able toverify whether an input has been made correctly by the feel of thefinger. Therefore, the user is not able to judge, when performing input,whether or not their finger or the like accurately coincides with theposition of a soft key without looking. Consequently, in order toperform an input, it may be necessary that the user verifies theposition of the touchpad, the position of soft keys, and the like bylooking constantly.

On the other hand, there are also apparatuses in which input devices areprovided in positions that are not able to be seen. Headphones in whichan input device is provided on housings or the headband are given as anexample. When the headphones are equipped, since the housings of theheadphones are positioned in the vicinity of the ears which are on thesides of the face, and the headband comes into contact with the top ofthe head, the user is not able to see the input unit. Therefore, it isdifficult to adopt a touchpad to which input is only able to beperformed by looking as an input device provided in the headband or thehousings of headphones.

In addition, even if physical buttons are provided on the housings orthe headband of headphones as input devices, when the headphones areequipped, since it is not possible to see the housings or the headband,it is not possible to see the physical buttons either. Therefore, evenif the provided buttons are physical buttons, it may be necessary thatthe user searches for the buttons by feeling when performing an input.Furthermore, in a case when a plurality of physical buttons is provided,it may be necessary to judge the types of the physical buttons based oninformation on the positions, shapes, sizes, and the like of thephysical buttons obtained from the feel of the fingers. It is thereforedifficult to adopt a touchpad in which there are no individual physicalbuttons as an input section.

It is desirable to provide an input device in which a user is able toperform an intuitive input operation without having to look.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an inputdevice of an electronic apparatus including: an input detection unitwhich is provided on the electronic apparatus at a position that isdifficult to be seen by a user who uses the input device, and whichdetects an input operation of the user; a movement distance detectionunit that detects a movement distance of an input position over theinput detection unit; and an action control unit that controls apredetermined action of the electronic apparatus based on the movementdistance detected by the movement distance detection unit.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided aninput device of an electronic apparatus including: an input detectionunit that detects an input operation of a user; a movement distancedetection unit that detects a movement distance of an input positionover the input detection unit; an action control unit that controls apredetermined action of the electronic apparatus based on the movementdistance detected by the movement distance detection unit; a locksetting unit that invalidates an operation input to the input detectionunit; a lock releasing unit that releases a lock by the lock settingunit; and a lock release input unit that receives input for causing thelock releasing unit to act.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the user is able toperform a variety of input operations to an input device withoutlooking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an appearance configuration ofheadphones that include an input device according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of headphonesthat include the input device according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the actions of the fingers of auser when performing an input operation to the input device;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processes of an inputoperation;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processes of the inputdevice;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are appearance configuration diagrams of headphonesillustrating a first modified example of dividing units of the inputdevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are appearance configuration diagrams of headphonesillustrating a second modified example of the dividing units of theinput device according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is an appearance configuration diagram of headphones illustratinga modified example of a touch sensor of the input device according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with referenceto the drawings. Here, the description will be given in the followingorder.

-   1. Embodiments-   1-1. Configuration of Headphones Including Input Device-   1-2. Input Operation and Action Control Performed Corresponding to    Input-   2. Modified Examples    1. Embodiments    1-1. Configuration of Headphones Including Input Device

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an appearance configuration ofheadphones 1 that include an input device according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure. FIG. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a left side view.The headphones 1 include a headband 11, a left housing 12, a righthousing 13, a left earpad 14, and a right ear pad 15. A touch sensor 21as an input detection unit that configures the input unit, protrusions22, 22, . . . as dividing units, and a lock release button 23 arefurther included. Furthermore, a power button 24 and a pairing button 25are included.

In the embodiment, the headphones 1 are used by being connected to asound reproduction device that is able to reproduce sound data such asan MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3), a WAV (RIFF waveform Audio Format), or thelike, a mobile phone, a smartphone (none shown in the drawings.Hereinafter, referred to as a sound reproduction device or the like), orthe like. Further, the headphones 1 are an apparatus that is able totransceive data by near field communication of the Bluetooth protocol.In the embodiment, the headphones 1 are connected to the soundreproduction device or the like by the Bluetooth protocol. The soundreproduction device or the like functions as the Bluetooth master andthe headphones 1 function as the slave.

The headband 11 is formed in a curved shape to follow the head of theuser, and when equipped, supports the entirety of the headphones 1 bybeing in contact with the top of the head of the user. The headband 11is configured using synthetic resins such as plastics, metals, or thelike, and is endowed with flexibility by having predetermined hardnessand elasticity. The state of the headphones 1 being worn is thus able tobe maintained, when equipping, by the left earpad 14 and the rightearpad 15 being pushing out in directions to the sides of the head ofthe user. Here, rubber or the like may be provided to the portion on theinside face of the headband 11 that comes into contact with the top ofthe head of the user as cushioning. Further, a hinge may be provided inthe central portion for folding up when being carried.

The headband 11 is configured to include a slider structure. In theembodiment, the headband 11 includes a central band portion 11 a thatcontacts the top of the head of the user, and a left band portion 11 band a right band portion 11 c that is connected to both ends of thecentral band portion 11 a. The left band portion 11 b and the right bandportion 11 c are formed to have a pipe shape, and are configured to beable to slide to and from the central band portion 11 a by the centralband portion 11 a being inserted in the inner portions thereof. The leftband portion 11 b and the right band portion 11 c are able to moveupward or downward to or from the central band portion 11 a. When theheadphones 1 are equipped, the left housing 12, the right housing 13,the left earpad 14, and the right earpad 15 are able to be fitted topositions facing the ears of the user by adjusting the lengths of theleft band portion 11 b and the right band portion 11 c to suit the sizeof the head of the user or the distance between the ears and the top ofthe head. In so doing, the user is able to obtain an equipping feelaccording to their own physical features and preferences.

Here, the touch sensor 21 as an input detection unit that detects aninput operation by the user is provided to the headband 11. Details ofthe touch sensor 21 will be described later.

The left housing 12 is provided at the front end of the left bandportion 11 b of the headband 11. Further, the right housing 13 isprovided at the front end of the right band portion 11 c of the headband11. The left housing 12 and the right housing 13 function asaccommodation units that internally accommodate sound processingcircuits, speakers, control circuits for control of the actions of theinput device, and the like.

The left housing 12 and the right housing 13 are formed, for example,using a synthetic resin such as plastics. The sound processing circuitperforms, for example, predetermined sound signal processing such asnoise cancelling processing, signal amplification processing, equalizingprocessing, and the like to sound signals that drive the speakers. Thespeakers are sound output sections that output sound signals, on whichprocessing is performed by the sound processing circuit, as sound.

The left earpad 14 and the right earpad 15 are formed to have elasticityby covering materials with elasticity such as urethane foam, cotton,synthetic fibers, or the like with synthetic leather or the like.Further, the left earpad 14 is provided on the surface of a side of theleft housing 12 that faces the side of the head of the user. Similarly,the right earpad 15 is provided on the surface of a side of the righthousing 13 that faces the side of the head of the user. The left earpad14 and the right earpad 15 function as buffer members between thehousings and the sides of the head of the user by being interposedbetween the left housing 12 and the right housing 13 and the sides ofthe head of the user. That is, the left earpad 14 and the right earpad15 are for preventing the housings formed with hard materials that arenot easily deformed from directly touching the sides of the head of theuser when the headphones 1 are equipped and causing discomfort or painto the user.

In addition, the left earpad 14 and the right earpad 15 also serve thepurpose of attempting to improve sound quality such as improving thereproducibility of lower registers, by sealing the space formed betweenthe earpads and the sides of the head of the user. Further, the leftearpad 14 and the right earpad 15 serve the purpose of preventing thesound output from the speakers from leaking to the outside.

Here, hangers (not shown in the drawings) are provided on both ends ofthe headband 11, and the left housing 12 and the right housing 13 may berespectively connected to the hangers to be rotatable. For example, thehangers support the housings to be rotatable by pivotally supportingthem with support pins (not shown in the drawings), each of whichprotrudes inward from both ends. In this manner, when the headphones 1are equipped, since the orientations of the housings change to suit theshapes of the surroundings of the ears of the user, the housings and theearpads are able to be made to face the ears in a state that is suitablefor the shapes of the sides of the head of the user.

The touch sensor 21 is provided on the left band portion 11 b of theheadband 11. The touch sensor 21 includes a first sensor 21 a, a secondsensor 21 b, a third sensor 21 c, and a fourth sensor 21 d. The firstsensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and thefourth sensor 21 d correspond to a plurality of regions of the inputdetection unit within the scope of the claims. The first sensor 21 a,the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21d are plate-shaped sensors, and are touch sensors of a capacitive typein which whether or not a finger of the user is in contact is detectedby miniscule changes in the capacitance. In the embodiment, the userperforms an input by bringing a finger into contact with the touchsensor 21 and sliding the finger.

The first sensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c,and the fourth sensor 21 d are lined up along the longitudinal directionof the headband 11 on the upper surface of the left band portion 11 b ofthe headband 11. Further, the first sensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b,the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 d are lined up with gapsof predetermined widths therebetween. In this manner, in an embodimentof the disclosure, although the user is easily able to ascertain theposition of the touch sensor 21 intuitively, the touch sensor 21 isprovided in a position that is difficult to see. Here, although thesecond sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 dare configured to be substantially the same size, the first sensor 21 aprovided at the top is configured so that its dimension in the verticaldirection are large compared to the other sensors. In so doing, even auser with large hands performing an input operation with the fingersspread apart does not touch portions other than the touch sensor 21 onthe headband 11. Since the fingers do not come into contact withportions other than the touch sensor 21 even if the fingers are spreadapart wide and it is possible to bring the fingers into contact with thetouch sensor 21 immediately after beginning the input operation,activation of the input device is able to be performed quickly.

As the touch sensor 21, it is also possible to use a touch sensor thatuses other types such as a resistive pressure-sensitive type. However,the touch sensor is pressed down when performing an input to a resistivepressure-sensitive touch sensor. In an embodiment of the disclosure,since an input is performed by sliding a finger on the touch sensor 21,if the touch sensor 21 is pressed down for inputting, the user slidesthe finger while maintaining the state of pressing down on the touchsensor 21. It is therefore considered preferable to use a capacitivetype touch sensor, in which there is no pressing down when performinginput, as the touch sensor 21. With a capacitive type touch sensor,since input is able to be performed by merely bringing a finger intocontact, an input operation is able to be performed easily.

The protrusions 22, 22, . . . are provided to protrude outward inpositions corresponding to the gaps that exist between each of the firstsensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and thefourth sensor 21 d that configure the touch sensor 21. The protrusions22 correspond to the dividing units within the scope of the claims. Byrespectively providing a protrusion 22 between the first sensor 21 a,the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21d, the touch sensor 21 is divided into four regions. By providing theprotrusions 22, since the finger touches the protrusions 22 when afinger is slid over the touch sensor 21, the user is able to intuitivelyascertain the movement distance of their own finger over the touchsensor 21 by the number of protrusions 22 that are touched.

Here, in order for the user to be able to intuitively ascertain themovement distance of their own finger over the touch sensor 21 and thesliding of the finger over the touch sensor 21 is not obstructed, it ispreferable that the protrusions 22 be formed to be, for example, roughlya few millimeters in height. Further, in order that the sliding of thefinger is not obstructed, it is preferable that the protrusions 22 beformed as round-faced protrusions.

The lock release button 23 is provided at the top end of the outersurface of the left housing 12. The lock release button 23 is configuredusing a physical button. In the embodiment, ordinarily, the touch sensor21 is in a so-called locked state in which even if a finger is broughtinto contact and an input operation is performed, processing accordingto the input operation is not performed. In this manner, an action thatis not intended by the user due to a finger being unintentionallybrought into contact with the touch sensor 21 is prevented. If an inputis performed to the lock release button 23, the lock on the touch sensor21 is released according to the control of a lock releasing unit 31 edescribed later, and the touch sensor 21 enters a state in which inputis possible. The lock release button 23 uses a so-called automaticrecovery type button in which an input signal is output while thepressing down of the lock release button 23 is continued, and the lockreleased state of the touch sensor 21 is maintained.

The lock release button 23 is configured by a physical button such as,for example, a tact switch. However, the lock release button 23 is notlimited to physical buttons, and may be configured using, similarly tothe touch sensor 21, a capacitive type touchpad. In a case when a touchsensor is used, the lock is released by bringing a finger into contactwith the lock release button 23.

The power button 24 and the pairing button 25 are provided on the outersurface of the right housing 13. The power button 24 and the pairingbutton 25 are configured as physical buttons. The power button 24 is abutton for switching between the ON and OFF states of the power of theheadphones 1. The pairing button 25 is a button for executing a pairingmode in which pairing is performed between the sound reproduction deviceor the like that is the master according to the Bluetooth protocol andthe headphones 1 that are the slave according to the Bluetooth protocol.Pairing is processing to set each of two apparatuses as the target ofthe other for transceiving of data and the like. In the embodiment,pairing is executed by exchanging the respective IDs (identificationinformation) and the passkeys (private code) between the headphones 1and the sound reproduction device or the like. The ID is an address thatis able to respectively specify the headphones 1 and the soundreproduction device or the like, and the passkey functions only in acase when the private codes set by each of the two devices are the same.

The appearance configuration of the headphones 1 is as described above.Next, an internal configuration of the headphones 1 will be described.FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of theheadphones 1 that include the input device.

The headphones 1 include a control unit 31, a bus 32, a RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 33, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34, an SPI (SerialPeripheral Interface) 35, a parallel I/O interface 36, a UART (UniversalAsynchronous Receiver Transmitter) interface 37, and a battery 38.

A touch sensor controller 39 is connected to the SPI 35. The firstsensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and thefourth sensor 21 d that configure the touch sensor 21 are connected tothe touch sensor controller 39. Further, the lock release button 23, thepower button 24, and the pairing button 25 are connected to the parallelI/O interface 36. Furthermore, a Bluetooth module 40 is connected to theUART interface 37. An antenna 41, an L channel speaker 42, and an Rchannel speaker 43 are connected to the Bluetooth module 40.

The control unit 31 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example,that performs predetermined processing. The RAM 33 is used as a workingmemory of the control unit 31. Programs that are read and operated bythe control unit 31 and the like are stored in the ROM 34. The controlunit 31 is connected to the RAM 33 and the ROM 34 via the bus 32, andperforms control of the entirety of the headphones 1 by executing avariety of processing according to the programs stored in the ROM 34 andperforming issuance of commands. Further, the control unit 31 alsofunctions as a movement distance detection unit 31 a, a contact timemeasuring unit 31 b, an action control unit 31 c, a lock setting unit 31d, and the lock releasing unit 31 e by executing predetermined programs.

The movement distance detection unit 31 a detects the movement distanceof a finger of the user over the touch sensor 21. The detection methodof the movement distance will be described later. The contact timemeasuring unit 31 b is a timer that measures the time elapsed from thebeginning of contact of a finger to the finger being moved away (end ofcontact), based on an input signal that indicates contact with the touchsensor 21 supplied from the touch sensor controller 39. The actioncontrol unit 31 c controls the various actions of the headphones 1 basedon the movement distance detected by the movement distance detectionunit 31 a and the contact time measured by the contact time measuringunit 31 b. The specific contents of the action control will be describedlater.

The lock setting unit 31 d performs control to set the touch sensor 21to be in a locked state in which input operations by contact becomeinvalid. In a case when the touch sensor 21 is in a locked state, evenif an input operation is performed on the touch sensor 21 and an inputsignal is input to the control unit 31, there are restrictions such thatprocessing according to such input operations are not performed by theprograms executed by the control unit 31.

The lock releasing unit 31 e releases the locked state set by the locksetting unit 31 d by releasing the restrictions where processingcorresponding to input operations are not performed in the programsexecuted by the control unit 31. If an input operation is performed onthe touch sensor 21 in a state in which the lock is released, an actioncontrol corresponding to such an input is carried out by the actioncontrol unit 31 c.

Here, the lock releasing unit 31 e only functions in a case when aninput is performed on the lock release button 23. As described above,the lock release button 23 uses the so-called automatic recovery typebutton that outputs a control signal while being pressed down.Therefore, the lock is constantly in a released state during periods inwhich the pressing down of the lock release button 23 is maintained.Further, when the pressing down of the lock release button 23 is ended(the finger is moved away from the lock release button 23), the touchsensor 21 is once again automatically set to be in a locked state by thelock setting unit 31 d. However, without being limited to such anexample, a lock released state may be maintained even after moving thefinger away from the lock release button 23 after the lock releasebutton 23 has been pressed, and a lock setting may be performed bypressing down on the lock release button 23 once again.

In addition, the locking and the releasing of the lock on the touchsensor 21 may be realized by providing a switch circuit (not shown inthe drawings) between the SPI 35 and the touch sensor controller 39 andswitching the switch circuit based on controls by the lock setting unit31 d and the lock releasing unit 31 e. Further, locking may be performedby interrupting the control signals within the SPI 35 or the like.

The SPI 35 serves the purpose of a bus connecting the touch sensorcontroller 39 to the control unit 31. When a finger is brought intocontact or moved away as the input actions to the first sensor 21 a, thesecond sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 d,the touch sensor controller 39 detects the contact or the moving away,and transmits a corresponding input signal to the control unit 31 viathe SPI 35 and the bus 32. Further, processing corresponding to theinput is performed by the action control unit 31 c.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a predetermined value (hereinafterreferred to as an assigned value) is assigned to each of the firstsensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and thefourth sensor 21 d that configure the touch sensor 21. For example, theassigned values are “1” for the first sensor 21 a, “2” for the secondsensor 21 b, “3” for the third sensor 21 c, and “4” for the fourthsensor 21 d.

In addition, the movement distance detection unit 31 a calculates thedifference between the assigned value of the sensor with which a fingerfirst comes into contact at the beginning of an input to the touchsensor 21 and the assigned value of the sensor with which the finger isin contact last when the finger is moved away at the end of the input.In the embodiment, the difference between the assigned values representsthe movement distance of the finger over the touch sensor 21.

For example, in a case when the finger is in contact with the fourthsensor 21 d at the beginning of contact and the finger is in contactwith the third sensor 21 c last when moved away, the difference is 1. Ina case when the finger is in contact with the third sensor 21 c at thebeginning of contact and the finger is in contact with the first sensor21 a last when moved away, the difference is 2. In a case when thefinger is in contact with the fourth sensor 21 d at the beginning ofcontact and the finger is in contact with the first sensor 21 a lastwhen moved away, the difference is 3. Here, the difference is calculatedas a positive value in a case when the finger is slid upward.

Further, the difference is also calculated as a negative value. Thedifference is calculated as a negative value in a case when, in contrastto a case when a positive value is calculated, the finger is sliddownward. In a case when the finger is in contact with the first sensor21 a at the beginning of contact and the finger is in contact with thesecond sensor 21 b last when moved away, the difference is −1. In a casewhen the finger is in contact with the second sensor 21 b at thebeginning of contact and the finger is in contact with the fourth sensor21 d last when moved away, the difference is −2. In a case when thefinger is in contact with the first sensor 21 a at the beginning ofcontact and the finger is in contact with the fourth sensor 21 d lastwhen moved away, the difference is −3.

Furthermore, in a case when the sensor with which the finger is incontact at the beginning of contact and the sensor with which the fingeris in contact last when moved away are the same, the difference is 0.

The contact time measuring unit 31 b performs measurement of the timethat elapses from when the finger comes into contact with, to when itmoves away from, the touch sensor 21, that is, the time during which thefinger is in contact with the touch sensor 21 (hereinafter, referred toas the contact time), based on an input signal, supplied from the touchsensor controller 39, that indicates the contact and the moving away ofa finger with and from the touch sensor 21. The contact time measuringunit 31 b corresponds to the input time measuring unit within the scopeof the claims.

The action control unit 31 c performs a comparison between thedifference (movement distance) detected by the movement distancedetection unit 31 a and a predetermined threshold value, and performsvarious action controls according to the comparison result. Further,comparison between the contact time measured by the contact timemeasuring unit 31 b and the predetermined time that is set in advance asthe threshold value is performed, and action controls are also performedbased on such a comparison result. Various actions are thus assigned tothe comparison results between the respective values of the differencesand the contact times.

The relationships between the differences and the actions in theembodiment are set to be “skip track” when “difference≥2” and “volumeup” when “difference=1”. Further, “stop reproduction” is when“difference=0” and the contact time is equal to or greater than apredetermined time, “pause” is when “difference=0” and the contact timeis equal to or less than a predetermined time during music reproduction,and “reproduce” is when “difference=0” and the contact time is equal toor less than a predetermined time when the music is stopped. Further, itis “volume down” when “difference=−1” and it is “skip back track” when“difference≤−2”. However, the above is only an example, therelationships between the differences and the actions are not limitedthereto, and various other combinations are possible.

In this manner, in an embodiment of the disclosure, various actioncontrols are not assigned to each of the first sensor 21 a, the secondsensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 d, butvarious actions are assigned to the relative movement distances of afinger. Therefore, for example, the action control that is performed ina case when the finger is slid from the second sensor 21 b to the firstsensor 21 a (difference=1) is the same as the action control that isperformed when the finger is slid from the fourth sensor 21 d to thethird sensor 21 c (difference=1). The user is thus able to perform inputoperations without concern for the position of each sensor. Further, auser with large hands is able to perform input operations by the sensorsprovided near the top of the headband 11, while a user with small handsis able to perform input operations near the bottom of the headband 11at positions close to the housings.

The parallel I/O interface 36 is connected to the control unit 31 viathe bus 32. The lock release button 23, the power button 24, and thepairing button 25 are connected to the parallel I/O interface 36. Thepower button 24 is a button for switching between the ON and OFF statesof the power of the headphones 1. The pairing button 25 is a button forexecuting the pairing mode that performs pairing between the soundreproduction device or the like that is the master according to theBluetooth protocol and the headphones 1 that are the slave according tothe Bluetooth protocol.

If an input is performed on each of the lock release button 23, thepower button 24, and the pairing button 25, control signalscorresponding to the inputs are generated and the control signals areoutput to the control unit 31 via the parallel I/O interface 36 and thebus 32. Further, by performing processing corresponding to the controlsignals at the control unit 31, actions corresponding to the variousbuttons are performed.

The battery 38 is for performing power supply to the entirety of theheadphones 1, and, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery is used.The battery 38 is chargeable using an external power source via acharging terminal (not shown in the drawings).

The Bluetooth module 40 is connected to the UART interface 37. TheBluetooth module 40 is a module that is able to transceive data by nearfield wireless communication of the Bluetooth protocol. Exchange of datawith the sound reproduction device or the like that is an externalBluetooth apparatus, which is the master, is performed by the Bluetoothmodule 40. The antenna 41, the L channel speaker 42, and the R channelspeaker 43 are connected to the Bluetooth module 40.

In a case when sound data is received from the sound reproduction deviceor the like that is an external Bluetooth apparatus, the Bluetoothmodule 40 receives the sound data transmitted from the soundreproduction device or the like by the antenna 41 and supplies the sounddata to a built-in signal processing unit. Further, in the signalprocessing unit, a sound signal is generated by carrying outpredetermined signal processing on the sound data and supplied to the Lchannel speaker 42 and the R channel speaker 43. In so doing, music orthe like that is reproduced by the sound reproduction device or the likeis output as sound from the L channel speaker 42 and the R channelspeaker 43. The L channel speaker 42 is provided in the left housing 12and the R channel speaker 43 is provided in the right housing 13.

1-2. Input Operation and Action Control Performed Corresponding to Input

The headphones 1 that include the input device according to anembodiment of the disclosure is configured as described above. Next, amethod of inputting controls to the input device will be described basedon FIGS. 3A to 3C. Here, before the input operation, the power of theheadphones 1 is ON, the headphones 1 and the sound reproduction deviceor the like are connected by the Bluetooth protocol, and further,pairing with the sound reproduction device or the like is completed.

In the embodiment, as described above, communication for performing theseven actions of “reproduce”, “stop”, “pause”, “skip track”, “skip backtrack”, “volume up”, and “volume down” is performed from the headphones1 toward the sound reproduction device or the like by an input on thetouch sensor 21.

The touch sensor 21 is ordinarily in a locked state in which an actioncontrol is not carried out even if an input operation is performed.Therefore, firstly, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the locked state of thetouch sensor 21 is released by pressing down on the lock release button23 using a thumb. Here, in the embodiment, the lock release button 23uses the so-called automatic recovery type button in which the lock onthe touch sensor 21 is only released while the lock release button 23 ispressed down. The user therefore presses down on the lock release button23 while an input is performed on the touch sensor 21. However, in acase when it is configured such that the lock released state ismaintained even after moving the finger away if the lock release button23 is pressed down once, the thumb may be moved away from the lockrelease button 23 when inputting on the touch sensor 21.

Here, the thumb is not necessarily used for inputting to the lockrelease button 23. However, in order to bring other fingers into contactwith the touch sensor 21 while maintaining the state of pressing down onthe lock release button 23, due to the configuration of the human hand,it is preferable that an input to the lock release button 23 isperformed using the thumb.

Next, while maintaining the state of pressing down on the lock releasebutton 23 with the thumb, other fingers are brought into contact withthe touch sensor 21. Here, in the embodiment, description will be givenwhile assuming a case in which, as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C, aninput operation is performed using the index finger. However, the fingerused for performing an input operation on the touch sensor 21 is notlimited to the index finger, and input is also possible using otherfingers such as the middle finger.

Further, the index finger is slid in the upward direction or thedownward direction along the longitudinal direction of the headband 11in a state in which the index finger is in contact with the touch sensor21. Various action controls are performed according to the movementdistance of the index finger by such sliding. With the sliding, there isa case in which the finger is slid upward so as to move from the stateillustrated in FIG. 3B to the state illustrated in FIG. 3C, andconversely a case in which the finger is slid downward so as to movefrom the state illustrated in FIG. 3C to the state illustrated in FIG.3B.

The input to the lock release button 23 and the action control based onthe movement distance (difference of assigned values) of the indexfinger will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and5. Such processing is performed by the control unit 31. First, in stepS1, it is determined whether or not an input is made to the lock releasebutton 23. In a case when it is determined that an input is made to thelock release button 23 in step S1 (Yes in step S1), next, in step S2,the locked state of the touch sensor 21 is released. Therefore, as longas it is determined in step S1 that an input is not made to the lockrelease button 23 (No in step S1), an action control is not performedeven if a finger is brought into contact with the touch sensor 21.

Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the index finger is incontact with the touch sensor 21. In a case when the index finger isdetermined to be in contact with the touch sensor 21 in step S3 (Yes instep S3), next, in step S4, the difference of the assigned values is setto be 0. Further, next, in step S5, the contact time is set to 0, andmeasurement of the contact time is begun by the contact time measuringunit 31 b in step S6. Here, the order of the steps S4 and S5 are notlimited to the order described above, and is also able to be performedin reverse order.

Further, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the index fingerhas moved away from the touch sensor 21. As long as it is determined instep S7 that the index finger has not moved away from the touch sensor21 (No in step S7), the measurement of the contact time by the contacttime measuring unit 31 b is continued. Furthermore, in a case when it isdetermined in step S7 that the index finger has moved away from thetouch sensor 21 (Yes in step S7), the processing proceeds to step S8,the measurement of the contact time is stopped, and the contact time iscalculated.

Next, in step S9, the difference between the assigned value of thesensor with which a finger first comes into contact at the beginning ofan input to the touch sensor 21 and the assigned value of the sensorwith which the finger is in contact with last when the finger is movedaway at the end of the input is calculated by the movement distancedetection unit 31 a. As described above, the difference corresponds tothe movement distance of the index finger that is slid over the touchsensor 21.

Next, in step S10, whether or not “difference≥2” is determined by theaction control unit 31 c. In the embodiment, a case in which“difference≥2” is when the difference is “2” or “3”. Further, in a casewhen it is determined that “difference≥2” (Yes in step S10), theprocessing proceeds to step S11, and an action control for performing“skip track” is carried out. On the other hand, in a case when it isdetermined in step S10 that “difference≥2” is not the case, theprocessing proceeds to step S12 and it is determined whether or not“difference=1”. In a case when it is determined that “difference=1” instep S12, the processing proceeds to step S13, and an action control forperforming “volume up” is carried out.

In a case when it is determined in step S12 that “difference=1” is notthe case, the processing proceeds to step S14, and it is determinedwhether or not “difference=0”. In a case when it is determined that“difference=0” (Yes in step S14), the processing proceeds to step S15.Next, it is determined in step S15 whether or not the contact time isequal to or greater than a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds)set in advance as a threshold value. Further, in a case when it isdetermined in step S15 that the contact time is equal to or greater thanthe predetermined time (Yes in step S15), the processing proceeds tostep S16, and an action control for performing “stop reproduction” iscarried out. Here, although 2 seconds has been given as an example ofthe predetermined time, the predetermined time is not limited to 2seconds. The predetermined time may be set arbitrarily by the user.

On the other hand, in a case when it is determined in step S15 that thecontact time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined time (Noin step S15), the processing proceeds to step S17, and it is determinedat that point whether or not the sound reproduction device or the likeis performing reproduction. In a case when it is determined in step S17that the sound reproduction device or the like is performingreproduction (Yes in step S17), the processing proceeds to step S18 andan action control for performing “pause” is carried out. Further, in acase when it is determined in step S17 that the sound reproductiondevice or the like is not performing reproduction (No in step S17), theprocessing proceeds to step S19, and an action control for performing“reproduction” is carried out.

The description is returned to step S14. In a case when it is determinedin step S14 that “difference=0” is not the case (No in step S14), next,in step S20, it is determined whether or not “difference=−1”. In a casewhen it is determined in step S20 that “difference=−1” (Yes in stepS20), the processing proceeds to step S21, and an action control forperforming “volume down” is carried out. On the other hand, in a casewhen it is determined in step S20 that “difference=−1” is not the case(No in step S20), the processing proceeds to step S22.

Further, it is determined in step S22 whether or not “difference≤−2”. Inthe embodiment, a case in which “difference≤−2” is a case in which thedifference is “−2” or “−3”. In a case when it is determined that“difference≤−2” (Yes in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S23,and an action control for performing “skip back track” is carried out.

Here, the comparison determination between the differences and thethreshold values in steps S10, S12, S14, S20, and S22 is not necessarilyperformed in the order described above. For example, the determinationof whether or not “difference≤−2” or the determination of whether or not“difference=−1” may be performed first.

Each action control described above is performed by the action controlunit 31 c performing generation of action control signals thatcorrespond to the various actions based on the differences and thecontact times, and by the action control signals being transmitted viathe antenna 41 to the sound reproduction device or the like from theBluetooth module 40.

In the embodiment, the differences are comparatively determined againstthe five threshold values of “2”, “1”, “0”, “−1”, and “−2”. It isdetermined whether or not the threshold values “1”, “0”, and “−1” areequal to the differences. However, with regard to the threshold value“2”, it is determined not whether or not it is equal to the differences,but it is determined whether or not “difference≥2”, and also with regardto the threshold value “−2”, it is determined not whether or not thethreshold is equal to the differences, but it is determined whether ornot “difference≤−2”.

The above is so that an intuitive input by the user is possible. Forexample, a case in which a different action control is each assigned to“difference=3”, “difference=2”, and “difference=1” is considered. Insuch a case, the user stops the sliding of the finger at an appropriateposition, while checking how much distance their own finger has movedover the touch sensor 21 by the feel of the finger, such that thedifference corresponds to the desired action. It is not possible toperform an intuitive input in such a fashion.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the disclosure, it is determinedwhether or not the threshold values “1”, “0”, and “−1” are equal to thedifferences. In order to slide the finger such that the difference is“1” or “−1”, since the finger is merely slid across one protrusion 22(the sliding of the finger is stopped once one protrusion 22 is felt),an intuitive input is not prevented.

Furthermore, it is determined whether or not the threshold value “2” is“difference≥2”, and whether or not the threshold value “−2” is“difference≤−2”. In so doing, in a case when the difference is “2” or“3”, since both are determined to be “difference2”, the action controlsperformed as a result are the same. Similarly, in a case when thedifference is “−2” or “−3”, since both are determined to be“difference≤−2”, the action controls performed as a result are the same.Thereby, since the user does not perform an input while checking howmuch distance their own finger has moved over the touch sensor 21, anintuitive input is able to be performed.

A more intuitive input is also possible by the combination of thedirection in which the finger is slid and the assigned action control.For example, it is considered that sliding in the upward direction(sliding from the vicinity of the ear in a direction toward the top ofthe head) gives an impression of “rising”, “moving to the next”, or“moving forward” to the user. On the other hand, it is considered thatsliding in the downward direction (sliding from a direction from the topof the head toward the vicinity of the ear) gives an impression of“falling”, “returning back”, or “moving backward” to the user.Therefore, in the embodiment, “volume up” and “skip track” are assignedto the upward sliding of the finger (the case when the differencebecomes a positive value). On the other hand, “volume down” and “skipback track” are assigned to the downward sliding of the finger (the casewhen the difference becomes a negative value). In this manner, a moreintuitive operation becomes possible.

Furthermore, it is considered that halting the finger on a spot withoutsliding over the touch sensor 21 gives an impression of “stopping” tothe user. Therefore, in a case when an input operation is performed bythe finger being brought into contact with, and then moved away withoutsliding over, the touch sensor 21, that is equivalent to a so-calledtapping input, one of “stop reproduction”, “pause”, and “reproduce” isconfigured to be performed. A more intuitive operation also becomespossible in this manner.

In addition, in a case when listening to sound from the soundreproduction device or the like, there is a case in which the volume isfinely adjusted according to the surrounding environment or the like.Further, since the change in volume from a single input in volumeadjustment is small, in a case when changing the volume significantly,an input operation is repeatedly performed a number of times. Therefore,in the embodiment, an action control corresponding to “difference=1” ismade to be volume up, and an action control corresponding to“difference=−1” is made to be volume down. Thereby, since it issufficient for the sliding of the finger performed for volume adjustmentto be a short distance, an input operation is able to be performedrepeatedly a plurality of times over a short period of time, and volumeadjustment is able to be performed easily.

However, the actions assigned to each difference and contact time arenot limited to the examples described above. For example, a reproductionaction may be performed by performing a double tap input. Further, theuser may be able to arbitrarily set which action controls are assignedto each difference.

Further, the action controls using the differences and the actioncontrols using the contact times may not necessarily be combined andused. For example, the actions that are able to be commanded by theinput device are limited to the four actions of “reproduce”, “stop”,“skip track”, and “skip back track”, and “skip track” is assigned to“difference≥2”, “reproduce” is assigned to “difference=1”, “stop” isassigned to “difference=−1”, and “skip back track” is assigned to“difference≤−2”. In such a manner, an action control may be performedwithout using the contact times, based only on the differences.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, even when the touch sensor21 that receives inputs from the user is provided in a position that isdifficult to see, input operations are able to be performed easilywithout having to visually check the position of the touch sensor 21.Therefore, for example, even in a situation where the line of sight isnot able to be moved from a predetermined position, such as when drivinga vehicle, input operations are able to be performed easily withoutmoving the line of sight. Further, since the touch sensor 21 is notnecessarily seen, it is also easily used by the visually impaired.

2. Modified Examples

Although an embodiment of the disclosure has been describedspecifically, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment describedabove, and various modifications based on the technical ideas of anembodiment of the disclosure are possible.

In the embodiment, the protrusions 22 are provided as the dividing unitsfor dividing the first sensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the thirdsensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 d that configure the touch sensor21. In so doing, the user is able to intuitively ascertain the movementdistance of their own finger over the touch sensor 21 by the feel of theprotrusions 22 that the finger feels. However, the protrusions 22 arenot necessarily provided for the user to intuitively ascertain themovement distance of the finger over the touch sensor 21.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, grooves 50, 50, . . .may be provided between each sensor so as to divide the first sensor 21a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor21 d. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, rough surfaces 60, 60,. . . may be provided between each sensor so as to divide the firstsensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and thefourth sensor 21 d. By either method, when the user slides a finger overthe touch sensor 21, by recognizing the grooves 50 or the rough surfaces60 by the feel on the finger, the user is able to intuitively ascertainhow much distance their own finger has slid over the touch sensor 21.

Furthermore, although the touch sensor 21 is provided on a side face ofthe headband 11 in the embodiment, the touch sensor 21 is able to beprovided at other positions. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, thetouch sensor 21 may be provided on an external face of the left housing12 that configures the headphones 1. Since the housings are ordinarilyformed to be a substantially circular shape in a side view, in theexample of FIG. 8, the first sensor 21 a, the second sensor 21 b, thethird sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 d that configure the touchsensor 21 are arranged in an annular pattern on the left housing 12.However, a plurality of sensors may be arranged so as to be lined up inone line in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction on theside face of the housing. Here, the touch sensor 21 may be provided noton the left housing 12 but on the right housing 13.

In the embodiment, although an example in a case when the touch sensor21 is configured by a total of four sensors of the first sensor 21 a,the second sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21d has been described as an example, the number of sensors is not limitedto four.

In addition, the touch sensor 21 as the input detection unit may beconfigured not by the individual sensors of the first sensor 21 a, thesecond sensor 21 b, the third sensor 21 c, and the fourth sensor 21 d,but by one touch sensor. In such a case, the touch sensor detects inputsmade by contact with the operation surface, and coordinate data thatindicates the contact positions is output from the touch sensorcontroller 39. In such a case, the movement distance detection unit 31 adetects the movement distance of the finger based on the coordinate dataoutput from the touch sensor controller 39.

Furthermore, the action controls assigned to the input operations arenot limited to the examples given in the embodiment. For example, it ispossible to assign various actions, such as performing switching of aplurality of playlists (lists on which the user collects desired trackdata in advance) created in the sound reproduction device or the like inadvance, performing changes in the equalization settings, performingswitching of the ON and OFF states of the power, and the like, that areperformed by the headphones or the sound reproduction device or the likethat is connected to the headphones. Further, in a case when the soundreproduction device or the like includes a radio function, switching ofthe action mode such as switching between a reproduction mode of sounddata such as an MP3 or the like and a radio mode may be performed.

Furthermore, in case when an input device is provided on a so-calledheadset that is headphones including a microphone and the headset isconnected to a mobile phone or a smartphone, action controls such asreceiving of calls and ending of calls may be performed according to theinput operations.

In addition, although only one predetermined time is set for a thresholdvalue that is compared with a contact time in the embodiment, thepredetermined time is not limited to one. For example, in a case whentwo predetermined times (2 seconds and 4 seconds) are set as thethreshold values, and the contact time is equal to or greater than 4seconds, action controls of “reproduce” or “pause” may be carried out,and in a case when the contact time is equal to or greater than 2seconds and less than 4 seconds, an action control for “stop” may becarried out.

Furthermore, although the lock release button 23 is configured using aphysical button in the embodiment, it may be configured using a touchsensor. In a case when a touch sensor is used, input methods such asreleasing the lock when a finger is brought into contact with the touchsensor or releasing the lock by performing a predetermined action withthe finger over the touch sensor are considered. Further, the lockrelease button 23 is not a prerequisite, and is not necessarilyprovided.

In addition, although an example in a case when the input device isapplied to Bluetooth headphones has been described in the embodiment,the input device is able to be applied, other than the Bluetoothheadphones, to headphones, noise cancelling headphones, surroundheadphones, and the like that are connected to the sound reproductiondevice or the like by a cord. Further, the input device is able to beprovided in the housing of an electronic apparatus such as a mobilephone or a smartphone, and is able to be used as the input device ofsuch an electronic apparatus itself.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-223502 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Oct. 1, 2010, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a continuous band, adapted to at least partially encircle a part of a user's body, the band comprising a first portion comprising a first end of the band, a second portion comprising a second end of the band, a slider structure, and a first surface, at least one of the first portion and the second portion being adapted for insertion into the slider structure, the first surface of the band residing between the first portion and the second portion and being adapted to contact the part of the user's body when the band at least partially encircles the part of the user's body; a second surface, residing in a second plane substantially parallel to a first plane in which the first surface resides when in contact with the part of the user's body; an input detector configured to detect touch input by the user on the second surface; a movement detection unit configured to detect a movement distance and direction of the touch input along the second surface; a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit at least one first signal to a sound reproduction apparatus to initiate a connection between the electronic apparatus and the sound reproduction apparatus, and to transmit at least one second signal to the sound reproduction apparatus to control the sound reproduction apparatus; and a receiver configured to wirelessly receive at least one third signal from the sound reproduction apparatus to establish the connection between the electronic apparatus and the sound reproduction apparatus; wherein the transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit as part of the at least one second signal an instruction to start or stop sound reproduction by the sound reproduction apparatus in response to receiving touch input of a user on the second surface.
 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input detector is connected to the band.
 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a lock setter configured to invalidate touch input to the input detector; and a lock releaser configured to release a lock set by the lock setter.
 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a power supply that is rechargeable via a charging terminal.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein wireless transmission and reception by the transmitter and the receiver is performed using near field wireless communication.
 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the near field wireless communication employs a Bluetooth protocol.
 7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input detector is configured to detect a movement direction of the touch input along the second surface.
 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input detector is configured to detect a double tap input.
 9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first signal and the at least one third signal comprise address information for identifying the electronic apparatus and the sound reproduction apparatus.
 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound reproduction apparatus comprises a smartphone.
 11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input detector comprises a capacitive type touch sensor.
 12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a speaker configured to output a sound signal corresponding to a signal received by the receiver, and the speaker is disposed to output the sound signal in a direction orthogonal to the first plane.
 13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a power button configured to switch the electronic apparatus between ON and OFF states.
 14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a housing comprising a speaker and a power button, the speaker being configured to output a sound signal according to a signal received by the receiver, the power button being configured to switch the electronic apparatus between ON and OFF states.
 15. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the band is adapted to at least partially encircle a user's head.
 16. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second surface is disposed between the first end and the second end of the band. 